Make-Ahead Gluten Free Pancakes

Can Pancake Day be all day, everyday? (In short, yes)

In honor of Pancake Day, I’m sharing with you my foolproof pancake recipe so that you too can make delicious and healthy pancakes! This recipe is great, and very easy to double the batch so that you can make a ton of them then store them in the freezer for those lazy mornings, or the mornings that you’re running late!

I had someone tell me the other day that if I was eating healthy, I shouldn’t actually eat pancakes because they aren’t “clean”. Well I’ve got a secret that I’d like to share. What that person said is a big fat lie and I’ll tell you why. Eating clean doesn’t imply that you have to cut out anything and everything. It just means that you should limit or reduce your intake of processed foods and focus on healthier alternatives.

I work out for my mental health just as much as my physical health, so I can feel great about my body, no matter what shape or size it is. I eat very healthily, with my weekly treats (nachos on Thursday pub nights, and a few glasses of wine with my girlfriend). Otherwise, I eat all my veggies and fruits, and limit my intake of fish and chicken for ethical and personal reasons. Making pancakes from gluten free flour, coconut oil, soy milk and a bit of sugar doesn’t mean I don’t eat “clean” or that it’s a “cheat meal”. It only means that I love myself enough to to treat myself with foods that make me happy and that are good for me.

Your fitness journey should be a personal thing, and the goals you set yourself should be your own. Personal behaviour modification only takes place when you yourself actually want to make a change for yourself and not for someone else’s sake (sorry, I’m a Psychology major). If you love yourself enough to change your behaviours for healthier ones, make sure that the decisions you take are for your own good and not someone else’s happiness.

In honor of self-love and acceptance, I challenge you to make yourself a batch of these pancakes and caramelized apples this weekend, and tell yourself “I’m worth it”. Don’t feel guilty; feel happy and free to be eating something so delicious!

First off, really simple pancakes! You can easily double this recipe to make more pancakes and freeze them for when you want something a little sweeter throughout the week.

squirt of vanilla extract (if your yogurt is flavored, you can omit it)

Whisk all your ingredients together, but not too much so your pancakes don’t get tough, but enough so that most of the lumps are gone.

In a hot pan with a dab of coconut oil, cook your pancakes like you would any pancakes. If it’s your first time, your first pancake will be a flop, so don’t worry too much. Cook it until it starts bubbling and the edges are cooked, and then flip it over for another minute or two, until the inside is cooked. Gluten free and egg free pancakes don’t rise as much as “regular” pancakes, so expect them to be more like crêpes.

Now, for that extra bit of love, you’re going to want to top these bad boys with caramelized apples.

Ingredients : Caramelized Apples

2 apples, thinly sliced (you can remove the peel if you want)

2 tbsp unsalted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

You can use the same pan as the pancakes to make the apples once the pancakes are done. Melt your brown sugar and butter together for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add in your apples and caramelize them over high heat for about 5 minutes. Just watch out that you don’t get butter splatter on you, since that stuff burns.

There you have it! Serve your loved one pancakes topped with caramelized apples, a sprinkle of shredded unsweetened coconut, some fresh fruits and maple syrup, along with a nice coffee or latte!